The Trybe Debuts Short Film I Find the Defendant

By Salami Adeyinka

I Find the Defendant, a gripping new short film produced by The Trybe, is a tense courtroom drama set in the heart of Lagos.

Directed by Michael Ajayi, the film follows a Grammy-nominated Nigerian jazz star whose career spirals into free fall after he is accused of rape by his girlfriend. As the case unfolds in a high-stakes Lagos courtroom, fame, power, and consent collide, forcing the nation to confront difficult questions about truth and justice.

The film stars Belu Ogbuka, Empress Allen, Precious Onyekwelibe, Aaron Ayo Akinyemi, Benedict Emmanuel Tochukwu Odoh, Constance Nnenna Izuogu, Nisola Martins, and Joy Ozichi.

The Trybe, an emerging Nigerian film production company, says the cast delivers raw and compelling performances in a story that tackles one of the most pressing conversations of our time.

I Find the Defendant is a bold and uncompromising work that examines how institutions, celebrity culture, and public opinion influence and shape the pursuit of justice.

The film arrives at a time when conversations around consent, accountability, and the power of fame have never been more urgent, both in Nigeria and around the world.

“I Find the Defendant employs the Rashomon effect to explore different perspectives of the same incident. Was a young woman sexually abused, or is a man being falsely accused?” said director Michael Ajayi.

The film has been submitted to major film festivals and is currently being prepared for additional international festival submissions. Details on screenings and further announcements are expected in the coming months.